Penncrest High boss named state high school Principal of the Year

MIDDLETOWN -- Richard Gregg, principal of Penncrest High School since 2007, has been named Pennsylvania's 2010 High School Principal of the Year by the state Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals.

Honorees are chosen on the basis of personal excellence, collaborative leadership and a commitment to curriculum, instruction and assessment, as well as demonstrating how the high school setting is personalized.

Gregg said that although he knew he was nominated, he was very surprised to receive the honor.

"Pennsylvania is a big state with 500 school districts, unlike Delaware, where I spent most of my career," he said.

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However, Rose Tree Media District Superintendent Denise Kerr said she was not surprised at the recognition Gregg has received, because his leadership has been pivotal in shaping Penncrest's outstanding profile.

She pointed out that in 2009 Penncrest was included in Newsweek magazine's Top 1,500 school in the nation. It also was on last year's list of the top 50 high schools in the eight-county Philadelphia region compiled by Philadelphia Magazine.

"Mr. Gregg has been one of the primary reasons we have achieved these honors," said Kerr. "His commitment to student achievement is second-to-none. He is an outstanding role model for his fellow administrators, as well as teachers, staff and students."

She noted Gregg uses a shared leadership approach. He has organized monthly meetings with district stakeholders -- fellow administrators, teachers, parents and students -- to ensure that decisions are made with the focus on teaching, learning and school climate. To facilitate and foster collaboration between stakeholders, he uses such communications tools as prepared PowerPoint presentations, e-mail, eNews bulletins and the Home Access Center, an online student/parents grade reviewer.

Leading the charge to challenge students academically, Gregg eliminated the school's lowest level of course offerings. He reduced the number of basic college-prep courses and increased the number of students taking Honors, Advanced and Advanced Placement courses. Under his leadership he also increased the number of students who take AP PSAT tests.

Kerr noted Gregg also has gone to great lengths to interact with students and their families. He's visible in classrooms and hallways throughout the day, frequently stopping students to congratulate them on their achievements. He also sends hand-written notes to parents about their child's accomplishments. In addition, he is very supportive of Penncrest teachers and their professional development.

Before coming to Penncrest, Gregg was principal of Brandywine High School in Delaware and was named Delaware's Principal of the Year in 2000. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware and a master's from Wilmington University, and was enrolled in the doctoral program at the University of Delaware.

He's been invited to a ceremony honoring his accomplishment at the PSAESP State Conference in Pittsburgh in October. As the state honoree, he is eligible to compete at the national level to become the MetLife/National Association of Secondary School Principals' National Principal of the Year.